The Boy's Word: Blood on the Asphalt

What it’s about

In Kazan at the start of 1989, the Soviet era is crumbling and parents struggle to survive while teenagers form street gangs that fight over territory. Fourteen-year-old Andrey lives with his mother and little sister and studies at a music school. To protect himself, he befriends Marat, a member of a gang, and is drawn into their world. The gangs battle for control of every piece of ground, obeying their own strict rules and valuing the word given to fellow members above all else.

What hooks you

The series won a Nika award in 2024 for creative achievement in television cinema. It was filmed in Yaroslavl, where a hockey rink was built specifically for the production. The cast includes Leon Kemstach as Andrey and Ruzil Minekaev as Marat. Robert Garaev, author of a book on Kazan's criminal history, served as a consultant. The director, Zhora Kryzhovnikov, also co-wrote the screenplay.

Who it’s for

It is a good pick for those who like coming-of-age stories set against a backdrop of social upheaval, where loyalty and violence shape a teenager's choices.